NPHS students Trump pollsters

TOWAMENCIN- Last Friday, students and staff alike were given the opportunity to vote in a school wide mock election during periods four through seven. The ballot was available online, and participants could either vote on laptops provided during lunches or vote via Twitter. Various positions for government, both at national and state levels, were on the ballot along with a question regarding judicial retirement age in PA. During the mock election a voter guide was made available to provide participants with information regarding the items on the ballot.

Here are the results of NPHS’s 2016 mock election:
US President: Trump 48.7% to Clinton 43.3%

US Senate: Toomey 53.1%  to McGinty 40%
US House of Representatives – District #7: Balchunis 50.9% to Meehan 49.1%
US House of Representatives – District #8: Fitzpatrick 50.9% to Santarsiero 49.1%
US House of Representatives – District #13: Brendan Boyle 71% (Unopposed)
PA Attorney General: Shapiro 58.8% to Rafferty 41.2%
PA State Treasurer: Torsella 51.7% to Voit 37.4%
PA STATE AUDITOR: DePasquale 51.1% to Brown 40.4%
PA House of Representatives  –District #53: Angelichio 51.2% to Bob Godshall 48.8%
PA House of Representatives  –District #61: Kate Harper 53% to Wlikinson 47%

PA House of Representatives  –District #151: Stephens 50.4% to Fagan 49.6%
Judicial retirement age (Ballot Question): Keep age at 70 years 70% to Raise age to 75 years 30%

David Shelly, a senior who participated in the mock election, explained the value in having it.

“It was a great way to get our young citizens informed on the issues at stake in this election” Shelly said. “Youth voters have an abysmal turnout rate, especially in statewide elections. By exposing people to the candidates other than the president, it shows that even when there isn’t a presidential race there are plenty of important [offices] for which to vote.”

Brian Haley, a social studies teacher who organized the mock election, further elaborated on the importance of holding school wide mock elections.

“The Social Studies Department’s goal is to foster a sense of civic duty and a desire to vote in the students who are coming of age and soon to be eligible to vote.  We want them to experience not only the process of voting but also of assessing various candidates at all positions on the ballot and making a reasoned choice of who would best handle the duties of that political office.  It is important that students leave high school more civically aware and ready to participate in the American political system. The future of our political system is on them” Haley said.

The voter turnout for the mock election was at 40%. Haley had the option to force students to vote during their social studies classes; however, he ultimately decided to allow students to choose whether or not to vote.

“Forcing students to vote will not get them interested in doing it again and again in real life.” said Haley. “The whole point of the election was to try and break off the apathy… I hope the takeaway is that they realize that politics is interesting and important and that voting is painless and easy.”